• The Persian and Greek invasion of India was an important event in Indian history which had far reaching consequences. The Persian and Greek invasion of India began in the Sixth Century B.C. when the North-west region of India was fragmented and small principalities such as Gandhara, Kamboja were fighting over each other. Since it was easy to enter India via the passes in Hindukush, many foreign invasions began to happen in the Northwest Frontier of India.
• The Persians were the first to invade India and were followed by the Greeks. The Persian invasion of India took place in two phases. The first phase was carried out by Cyrus around 535 BCE and the second phase by Darius in 518 BCE. The Greek invasion of India was carried out by a famous ruler, Alexander.

Persian Invasion of India

• In the Sixth Century B.C. the Persians began their eastward and westward invasions.
• The North western part of India which was wealthy did not have any powerful kingdom like Magadha to bring the entire region under one organised Kingdom. There were many small principalities who were fighting with each other.
• The Achaemenid rulers of Iran (Persians) took advantage of the political disunity in the region and began their invasions.

Cyrus 

• Cyrus was the founder of the Achaemenid empire in Iran.
• The Persian invasion of India was first led by him.
• He invaded the Indian borderland and captured the Gandhara region.
• Cyrus invaded as far as the river Indus and the Indian tribes living to the west of the river submitted to him.
• Behistun Inscription mentions that all the region conquered by Cyrus in India was brought under the satrapy of Gandhara. (Satrapy means province and Satrap was the provincial governor in ancient Persian empire)

Darius

• Cyrus’ son Cambyses paid no attention towards India. Thus the grandson of Cyrus, Darius I conquered the Indus valley in 516 B.C.
• Punjab, West of Indus and Sindh were annexed by Darius and these areas constituted the 20th satrap of Iran.This area became the most fertile area of the Persian empire.
• 360 talents of gold was paid as a tribute to the Persian empire which constituted one third of their revenue from Asian provinces.
• The Indians were employed in the Persian army
• Darius explored the Indus by sending a naval expedition under Skylax.

Xerxes

• Indian Provinces were used by him to strengthen his positions
• Indian Cavalry and Infantry who were sent to Greece to fight his opponents retreated after the defeat of Xerxes.
• With this failure, the forward policy of Persians was hampered in India.

Effects of the Persian Invasion

• This contact lasted for about 200 years and thus resulted in the Indo – Iranian trade and commerce. It is evident from the Iranian coins found in the northwest Frontier of India.
• The Kharoshthi script which was written from right to left was an Iranian form of writing and was introduced in India by the Iranian scribes.
• Mauryan sculptures and monuments, particularly those of Ashoka’s time were heavily influenced by the Iranian models.
• The idea of issuing edicts and the terms used on them traced to have the Persian influence.
• The Greeks came to know about India and its wealth from the Persians which paved the way for the Greek invasion of India.

Greek Invasion of India

Alexander’s Invasion

• Alexander succeeded his father Philip to the throne in 334 B.C.
• In the Fourth century B.C. the Persians got into war with the Greeks.
• The Greeks under the leadership of Alexander of Macedonia defeated the Persian empire and conquered Asia, Iran and Iraq.
• In the Battle of Arbela, he defeated Darius III and conquered the entire Persia.
• He was attracted by the wealth of India.
• It was also believed that there was a continuation of sea to the East of India which made him believe that by conquering India, the Eastern boundary of the world would be Conquered.
• Thus from Iran he moved towards Kabul and from there via Khyber pass he marched into India.
• The entire North India was divided into so many independent monarchies and tribal republics which favoured the intentions of Alexander.

• Battle of Hydaspes:

1. 1. Porus refused to submit his kingdom to Alexander and this led to a battle between them.
   2. The Battle of Hydaspes was fought on the plains of Karri and Porus lost the battle.
   3. Alexander was impressed by the courage of Porus and restored him back to his throne.

• He marched and conquered the areas as far as the river Beas.
• The soldiers grew tired of war and refused to fight. Thus Alexander was forced to retreat and he decided to return home with his soldiers.
• Most of the states were restored back to the rulers who accepted his sovereignty. The remaining areas of his possessions were divided into three and were placed under three Greek governors.
• On his way back, he fell ill and died at Babylon in 323 B.C.